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Food Security Update- July 2013 Early Warning and Situation Reports Jul Purpose and Interpretation: Food Security Updates (FSUs) have two key components; 1) an Early Warning (EW) section and 2) a Situation Report (SitRep) from main States and Regions. The EW section outlines the key events occurring throughout Myanmar that are currently impacting the food security situation. By highlighting these events, it is possible to identify townships where food security status is likely to deteriorate in the short term, facilitating decision-making and response. Methodologically, WFP classifies the severity of shocks as Low, Moderate or High, depending on the likelihood that a shock is significant enough to result in deteriorations in key food security indicators as defined by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN). Indicator scores are then summed to determine a shock severity score. This methodology is summarized below. The SitRep, by contrast, provides general information on a monthly basis about the food security situation in key Regions and States in Myanmar. SitReps summarize the evolving food security situation and help provide context to more in-depth FSIN periodic monitoring rounds. Source of information: Information included in Food Security Updates (FSUs) comes from a variety of sources, including observations from field staff, information from assessment activities, community reports or requests for assistance, government requests for action and information from media outlets. Monthly Updates can be accessed online at http://www.fsinmyanmar.net. FSIN Food Security Classifications FSIN Key Indicators Shock impact on each Shock severity scoring is sum of indicator Generally food secure . Crop Production . Hunger indicator is estimated scores, categorized as follows: Moderately food insecure . Food stocks . Acute malnutrition and scored as follows: Low severity <12 Highly food insecure . Market stocks . Disease Low=1 Mod severity 12 to 17 Severe Situation . Purchasing power . Migration Moderate=2 High severity >17 Emergency Situation . Dietary diversity . Coping High=3 Early Warning Report: Key Shocks Reported in July Shock Recent FSIN Severity Shock State Township severity classifications1 Direct effect and likely human impact score Pre Mid Post Landslides occurred along the Ayerwaddy River bank, Pakokku 8 displacing 205 HHs (and 835 people) in 3 villages in Magway Pakokku and 35 HHs (and 170 people in 2 villages in Yenangyaung 8 Yenangyaung. Landslides In July, landslides blocked the road to Lwe Je and Low destroyed shelters in U Khaung Par IDP camp. The road Momauk 4 n/a n/a n/a to Lwe Je was impassable for one week before being Kachin cleared, causing limited disruption. In U Khaung camp, 13 families lost their homes and there was damage Momauk 2 n/a n/a n/a reported to a school and camp latrines. Due to heavy rains for several days in Kayin during the Hpa An last week of July, five townships were flooded, displacing 6,800 households or approximately 40,000 people. Displaced were housed in 79 temporary camps in Pha Hlaing Bwe An, Hlaing Bwe, Kawkayeik, Kyarinn Seik Gyi and Myawaddy. Flooding Kayin Kaw Kariek 15 n/a n/a n/a While displacement was short-lived, damages to paddy crops, food stocks and livestock were significant. In total, Moderate 45,000 acres of paddy were flooded, potentially causing Kyainseikgyi significant damage to as many as 11,000 acres (with 3,900 confirmed damaged to date). Likewise, infrastructure was affected including roads as well as Myawaddy drinking water sources. Nothing to Report High Actions Taken/ Needed Landslides—In Magway and Kachin, WFP and other partners in the food sector will continue to monitor the situation in the affected villages/ camps. Given the relatively small scale of these landslides, communities, with assistance from government, should be able to mitigate any impacts. Flooding --- In Kayin, WFP sent a team to assess the magnitude of the disaster and provide recommendations as to the role WFP can play in the recovery efforts. WFP is now considering how best to assist affected populations and assess potential longer term impacts of the floods. 1 FSIN food security classifications are made pre-monsoon, mid-monsoon and post-monsoon. Classifications included in the table above detail the last three classifications observed in periodic monitoring rounds prior to the monthly report. Page 1 of 3 Food Security Update- July 2013 Early Warning and Situation Reports FSIN Situation Report While the total IDP population in Kachin remained stable in July, increases were observed in camps in Myitkyina, Waingmaw and Bhamo Townships. This was largely a result of IDPs migrating from more remote camps to enable their children to enroll in schools. Food and cash assistance continued to reach IDPs in many camps. WFP continued to provide food to all camps in government controlled areas, with 532 MTs of food reaching more than 31,000 IDPs. During the same period, OXFAM/ KBC/ Shalom delivered cash assistance (6000 MMK per person per month) to close to 10,000 IDPs in 36 camps in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Mohnyin, Moe Gaung, Hpakan and Kamaing Townships. METTA resumed cash assistance (7,500 MMK per person per month) to IDPs in most camps in Bhamo, Momauk, Mansi and Shwe Gu townships. KBC and KMSS have resumed food assistance in 9 IDP camps in non-government controlled areas. There are food security concerns for Laiza area since METTA has stopped its food assistance. In July, IRRC was only able to provide rice and salt to IDPs in the Laiza area. In July, work opportunities for IDPs increased in Myitkyina, Waingmaw and Bhamo townships, as activities related to planting paddy intensified. According to reports, however, more work opportunities were available to women than men, which made it difficult to utilize these opportunities as many women had to stay home to care of young children. Given this, it was estimated that only 20% of IDPs were able to take advantage of these opportunities. Notably, there were also limited reports of IDPs migrating (for days or months) for work opportunities, though specifics as to which IDPs or what types of work opportunities was not readily Kachin State available. In July, health and nutrition issues were reported in IDP camps in both government and non-government controlled areas. In government controlled camps, particularly in Myitkyina and Waingmaw, diarrhea and respiratory infections were commonly reported amongst children, though there was no indication of a deteriorating nutrition situation. In non-government controlled areas, particularly in Sadaung and Chipwe townships, malnutrition was the primary concern, with reports that nutrition programming was insufficient in relation to the needs. These IDPs were receiving food assistance however. Outside of IDP camps, agricultural activities were ongoing but the success of the planting season remains a question mark as rainfall continued to be inadequate in July (Source: Department of Agriculture). According to media reports the impacts of inadequate rainfall were particularly pronounced in Shwe Gu Township. In Puta-O District, in northern Kachin, the food security situation remained precarious as rice shortages continue to afflict the area. Shortages have persisted since the beginning of the conflict as the road linking Puta-O to Myitkyina has been beset with security issues, becoming largely impassible and significantly impacting commodity flows. Communities from Nawngmun, Khaunglanhpu and Machanbaw townships appear particularly affected, with rice prices roughly double the normal price. In other parts of Kachin, seasonal increases in rice prices were observed, reflecting increased transportation difficulties due to the ongoing rains. In July, rains were continuous throughout monitored areas in Shan. In parts of northern Shan, rains were heavy enough to affect paddy seedlings either by disrupting transplantation or affecting weeding activities. The hardest hit townships were reportedly Kutkhai, Muse and Nam Kham. Heavy rains also led to small-scale landslides in Manton, affecting road transportation namely. In northern Shan, maize crops are maturing and farmers are selling crops in advance for low prices. Green tea harvesting is continuing in July in Man Tone and Nam Kham townships. In southern Shan, farmers in Hopong were busy with lowland paddy cultivation as well as the harvesting and processing of cheroot leaves. In Phekon, farmers reported insufficient rain to begin lowland cultivation but weeding for upland paddy and chilli is ongoing. Reportedly, leave disease and late rains will impact upland paddy yields, though the exact impacts are not yet clear. In His Hsaing, irregular rains impacted the growth of maize, paddy and Shan State other plants. Most farmers are facing water shortages for the lowland paddy cultivation as well, with Naung Kyaw, Bant Bwee and Kone Sut village tracts most impacted. Job opportunities were increasing throughout southern Shan in July, as weeding and other agricultural activities (including poppy cultivation activities) is ongoing. Notably, daily wages for poppy cultivation remain higher than other wages for crops cultivation. Swine disease (Pneumonia) was observed in Lashio township, though the number of pigs impacted was not clear. In July, malaria was commonly reported in KutKhai, while diarrhea was observed in both Muse and Nam Kham townships. In southern Shan, seasonal flu and respiratory diseases were the most common diseases reported. The food security situation in the Dry Zone was largely stable in July. Monsoon rains were progressively relieving the water shortages reported in April and May, leading to improved hygiene and more prevalent animal fodder. Sesame harvesting began in July, but uneven rainfall across the region impacted the success of the first sesame crop. In Pakokku, Myaing, Yesagyo and Pauk, initial observations indicate that as much as 50% of the crop was surviving but not in good shape, while another 20% was dried and damaged. In Yenangyaung township, 8 villages reported total crop loss, with villagers reportedly migrating to Shan State to find work. Rainfall shortfalls were particularly pronounced west of the Ayerwaddy River.